Exercise of the Week: Army Push-Up

The STACK Exercise of the Week will help you improve your overall sports performance—including strength, speed, conditioning and flexibility. This week, we highlight the Army Push-Up, an exercise that increases upper-body strength.

Who’s Doing It

Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee Bucks PG

Muscular Benefits

Increases overall upper-body strength

Sports Performance Benefits

The Army Push-Up takes the traditional Push-Up one step further by adding a forward and backward motion at the bottom of the movement. Chest and shoulder strength and stability are increased from multiple directions rather than just straight up and down. This helps athletes like Jennings be stronger when reaching for rebounds or pushing off of opponents to gain position under the hoop.

Army Push-Up How To

Assume push-up position

Bend arms to lower chest to ground

Dip chest down and forward as if sliding underneath a string held parallel to ground; exaggerate arch in back

Dip chest down and backward, and drive out of Push-Up

Repeat for specified reps

Sets/Reps: 1-2x15-20

Coaching Points

Start with hips elevated and push them away from hands

While performing Push-Up, slide upper body forward and exaggerate arch in back